The previous owner of my H16 didn't like to tie the boat down when he stored it on the beach, and during a storm, the boat was seen doing cart-wheels down the beach. These gymnastics caused the mast to bend about 10 inches, 12 feet from the base.

Does anyone have any ideas as how to bend the mast back to straight, and have it stay straight? Any help would be appreciated.

The mast can probably be straightened if it's a fair bend - if the sidewall has buckled, it's scrap.

I've had some luck straightening masts using two closely spaced trees - maybe 1.5 - 2 meters apart. The trees need to be at least 30 cm in diameter. Put the mast between the trees and use the trees as lever points to slowly and incrementally straighten the mast. You might have to "bounce" against the mast with your body to get it to move.

If you're careful, and work slowly, you can get a fairly straight mast without collapsing the sidewall or cracking the extrusion.

The bent/straightened section of the mast will be stiffer and more brittle that the rest of the extrusion (stress hardening). OK for pleasure use, but not for racing.

Thanks for the suggestion. I too tried the 'tree' method on one bent mast, but when it almost got to straight, the sidewall creased. I contacted a local manufacturing shop, and they said they could straighten it by cutting the mast at the bend, straightening the pieces, then rewelding. But......they don't want to do it unless they know the exact metalurgical composition of the aluminum (afraid of the weld being weak). In Canada, a new mast is about $2200, so I was hoping for some luck finding a used mast, or straightening the bent one.

You can try finding one on Ebay, but most of those are in the states (try explaining that to the customs officer!)

You might be able to pick one up from the Hobie Fleet in Toronto. They're based at Etobicoke Yacht Club. The web mistress of the NAHCA web site (Karen-Ann Xavier) is from that fleet and might be able to help.

Thanks for the suggestion. I talked to Karen a couple of months back about masts and the likelihood of finding a used one. She said I would have better luck finding a needle in a haystack. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed. Murray's Marine (based out of Californina) generally keeps a couple of used 16 masts in stock, but when I factor in the shipping to Detroit, the dollar exchange rate, and the duty, it becomes quite pricey for a used mast.

I've always been told that you cant truly straighten the mast.
I've also had sailors tell me about the tree fork straighten...but,
I wouldn't trust it.
Alum has the tendency to kink- fold - crease, etc.
I found a gentlemen on ebay, parting out his H16.
I picked the mast up for $50us and shipping was approx $75.

Most freight companies are going to try to rip you on the cost
of shipping...(one of my quotes was $191 !!) I settled on
Central Freight Service....they did an excellent job...of course,
I only shipped the thing 500 miles....make sure and shop the
freight....look for LTL (less than a load) shipping companies.